Over the next few days, Charlie made nightly trips to patrol the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid.
According to Hagrid, Nolan was a newly matured unicorn. His parents lived deeper within the forest, but Nolan often wandered closer to the outskirts.
And every time Charlie got near, Nolan would dart away like he'd seen a ghost.
Pfft. It's not like I even want to touch you anyway.
Also, you're clearly just playing hard to get.
One morning, while Charlie was having breakfast, a school owl dropped off a letter.
Tearing it open, he recognized Dumbledore's handwriting in his signature blue ink:
"The trunk you requested is ready. The password for the office is honey durian water."
Charlie's eyes lit up.
Finally!
He stuffed a few pieces of toast into his mouth and dashed off toward the Headmaster's office.
The stone gargoyle was still standing guard on the eighth floor.
"Honey durian water."
The stone creature sprang aside, revealing the spiral staircase slowly twisting upward.
Charlie bounded up and pushed open the office door.
Dumbledore was seated behind his desk, holding a small, elegant trunk.
Upon seeing Charlie, he stood with a smile.
"Ah, Charlie. Just in time."
He approached with a steaming cup in hand.
"Here, try this, honey durian water. A new flavor from Honeydukes."
Charlie took the cup and cautiously sniffed it.
The pungent scent of durian mixed with syrupy honey instantly overwhelmed him.
"Professor, your taste is… unique."
Charlie forced a polite smile, fighting the urge to gag.
Dumbledore gave a wistful sigh.
"Young people are always so conservative. One day, you'll realize that the oddest combinations can be truly marvelous."
He handed over the trunk.
"This is your Undetectable Extension charm trunk. I made the internal space extra large, just like you asked."
Charlie accepted it eagerly.
It felt surprisingly light, almost deceptively so.
"Thank you, Professor."
Unable to wait, Charlie opened the trunk on the spot.
Inside, he saw only a ladder descending downward.
Without hesitation, he climbed in.
Each step creaked faintly underfoot as he descended about three or four meters before touching down.
Raising his head, Charlie's eyes widened in awe.
He stood in a vast underground chamber, the walls packed and smooth, with a soft ambient light emanating from above.
The space stretched several acres at least.
He took a walk around the perimeter, inspecting the area carefully… and frowned.
Behind him, Dumbledore tilted his head in confusion.
Not satisfied? But it's modeled after Newt's trunk, what's not to like?
Then he heard Charlie muttering to himself:
"Damn, I must've turned too little gold. I won't even be able to fill this space."
Dumbledore nearly slipped off the ladder.
Steadying himself, he chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.
Keep going at this rate, and the Philosopher's Stone's going to turn to dust.
Charlie climbed back out of the trunk and shut the lid.
"Professor, this trunk is amazing. I'm very satisfied."
Dumbledore adjusted his glasses with a resigned expression.
"Good. Just remember, items like this are incredibly rare. Guard it carefully."
"I will, Professor."
Hugging the trunk tightly, Charlie bade farewell and practically sprinted out of the office.
He dashed through the corridors, past the castle gates, and headed straight for the Forbidden Forest.
His destination: the oak tree.
Before long, the massive oak came into view.
Slowing his pace, Charlie strolled toward the spot where he'd buried his treasure.
Then stopped dead in his tracks.
His blood pressure spiked.
The ground had been disturbed.
What had once been smooth earth was now uneven and pitted, clearly someone or something had been digging.
The dirt had been refilled hastily, without care, and it showed.
Charlie's face darkened.
Who touched my gold?!
He hurried over and crouched down to examine the area.
Tiny holes dotted the soil, along with a trail of strange footprints.
Each footprint was only about the size of a thumb, with a peculiar shape, pointed at the front, round at the back.
"These aren't human footprints…"
Charlie narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
What creature likes gold… and digs holes?
Peeling back the surface layer of soil, he revealed the pit beneath.
Thankfully, the pile of golden bricks was still there, gleaming and intact.
After counting, Charlie was relieved to find none missing.
"Looks like the little thief didn't get the chance to haul anything off yet."
Still, the fact that it had been discovered meant it was no longer safe.
Time to relocate.
He opened the extension trunk and began moving the gold inside.
One block after another, the bricks clinked as they hit the bottom.
After nearly thirty minutes, everything had been transferred.
Charlie carefully covered the hole with soil, smoothing it as best he could.
Then he retreated behind a thick oak, drew his wand, and cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself.
His body shimmered and vanished into the background.
He crouched low, concealed in the shadows.
No way that little thief gives up so easily.
Charlie smirked to himself.
You dare lay hands on my gold? That's MY imperial loot!
Time ticked by.
Charlie remained perfectly still, invisible among the leaves.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy in scattered rays.
Occasionally, birds chirped overhead, but otherwise the forest was silent.
"Where is it already…"
He glanced at the time, afternoon classes would start soon. Today's class: History of Magic.
"Bah. Binns never takes attendance."
[Your Majesty has skipped class and disrespected the Grand Tutor. Tyrant Points +5]
Two more hours passed. The sun was beginning to dip.
Charlie's legs were numb from squatting.
Just as he was about to shift position, a rustling came from the bushes.
Eyes snapping open, he peered through a gap in the foliage.
A small black creature emerged, creeping toward the oak tree.
Charlie's eyes widened.
What the hell is that thing?
It was no bigger than a human forearm, covered head to toe in black fur.
Its long, slender snout looked downright comical.
A platypus rat?
The creature, platypus-rat, Charlie dubbed it, scampered to the base of the tree and began sniffing frantically with its elongated nose.
Then it started digging.
In seconds, it had uncovered the empty pit.
Its beady black eyes reflected nothing but confusion.
Just yesterday, the hole had been full of glittering treasure. Now it was barren.
The platypus-rat rummaged furiously, flipping every clump of dirt it could reach.
Its nose twitched nonstop as it tried to catch a trace of gold.
After ten whole minutes of fruitless searching, it slumped beside the pit, visibly depressed.
It scratched its head with a tiny paw and let out a series of disappointed squeaks.
Hah! Sucks to be you!
Charlie laughed to himself, though he didn't move.
Still, he wasn't done.
The creature wandered in circles, confirmed that the treasure was truly gone, and finally slunk off in defeat.
It vanished into the brush, heading deeper into the forest.
Charlie immediately followed.
"That little thing can't carry much gold on its own," he thought while tailing it silently.
"The real stash has to be in its nest."
Time to wipe out the whole horde. Not a single gram escapes me.
Charlie narrowed his eyes, hunting mode engaged.
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35 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
p(a)treon.com/Aaltairr
200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed